A Retrospective Review of Unintended Effects After Single-Event Multi-Level Chemoneurolysis With Botulinum Toxin-A and Phenol in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Background: Single-event multi-level chemoneurolysis (SEMLC) is a single-session procedure that treats various limbs of patients with spasticity at multiple levels with chemoneurolytic agents. Phenol is used in combination with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) to enable spastic muscles to be treated without overdosing with BTX-A. Objective: To review unintended effects (UEs) of SEMLC for children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Pediatric rehabilitation outpatient clinic at an academic medical center. Participants: The study included 98 children with CP who underwent SEMLC on at least one occasion. Interventions: SEMLC. Main Outcome Measures: UEs, the goal achievement for each SEMLC session, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-ER). Results: A total of 98 subjects and 146 SEMLC procedures were reviewed. Patients had a mean age of 7.56 years (standard deviation, 4.28); 57% were male; and 14 had hemiplegia, 22 had diplegia, 8 had triplegia, and 54 had quadriplegia. Most SEMLCs (72%) were performed with a combination of BTX-A and 5% phenol in a session. UEs were reported for 31/146 (21%) of SEMLC sessions, with 16 of 31 UEs being temporary weakness. The overall incidence of UEs of the group that received combined agent treatment was not different from the group that received BTX-A only (. P = .267). Transient pain occurred in 7 of 105 patients who were treated with the combined agents BTX-A and phenol. Dysesthesia did not develop in any of the patients. The type of CP, GMFCS level, number of muscles injected, and doses of medications were not correlated with the incidence of UEs. Conclusions: SEMLC using combined BTX-A and phenol is a safe procedure for children with spastic CP. It could be a treatment option for patients with diffuse spasticity, because combining agents allowed more muscles to be treated without enduring or serious UEs. Patient and family education is essential to prepare them for the occurrence of common UEs, such as temporary weakness and pain.